I had a great festival - although I was working most of it either MCing or singing or whatever. I was really impressed with the quality of young acts like Kat Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, and Rosie Doonan was a revalation.
I see someone complaining about the lack of "National" acts. For a smallish festival to have Steve Tilston, Show of Hands, Ben & Joe, just as they spring to mind, is pretty good. As to why the ceilidh wasn't well attended, if it wasn't, then I guess we could have forced people in at gunpoint :0).
The reason you get multiple sessions in one pub is because Otley, unlike many festivals spawns spontaneous sessions. What can you do? I've been to festivals with empty pubs or hopeless little gaggles of singers in fusty corners and hardly any sessions at all - I know which I'd choose.

I understand that SOH were brilliant. Ben and Joe certainly were - they were booked for a 1hour set, and did an hour and a quarter - magic.

The other thing I would point out, is that Otley, which has never been very expensive, held its prices this year.

Anyway, I know that the majority of people had a great time, and said so. The weather was brilliant - Duncan MacFarlane Band electric did an awesome outdoor gig in front of the Cricket Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.

And one last thing. The caterers who came in at three day's notice, and who had no idea what to expect did a brilliant job at the Civic, against all the odds.

See you all next year, I hope
Jim